
Reactive Dog Classes
You Are Not Alone
These one-on-one lessons are designed for owners of dogs that have trouble coping with the presence of other dogs and/or strangers and/or other "triggers" on walks. Your dog may even have been labelled “aggressive” or “fearful”.
Irrespective of your dog’s background and the cause of the “issues”, there are many things we can do to help. We cannot, however, make any promises that we can "cure" every dog, because a dog’s reactivity, as well as the result of the training, will vary depending on many factors, including:- the dog’s age and background;
- the dog’s inherited temperament traits;
- the dog’s life experiences to date;
- the dog’s early puppyhood socialization (if any);
- what levels of stress the dog is subjected to on a daily basis;
- how much time and effort the owner is able to put into the dog's rehabilitation programme on a daily basis.
Having a reactive dog can often be both exhausting and embarrassing, and also quite daunting at times. Frustrating. Frightening. Disappointing. Depressing. Infuriating. And, at times, heart-breaking.
Our first consideration is to create an environment and an atmosphere where everybody, humans and dogs, can feel SAFE.
In order for our dogs to learn about the world around them, never mind being able to work with you, we need to learn how to create an environment where our dogs can feel SAFE. Only then will they have a chance to be able to learn.
OPTIONAL: BEHAVIOUR EVALUATION
If you prefer, before embarking on the programme, you can book a Behaviour Evaluation.
The Behaviour Evaluation consists of a one hour session in which we go through a Behaviour Information Form for your dog that that you will have completed ahead of time. We then meet your dog and assess its behaviour with other dogs, people or other triggers, and discuss how we can best help your dog based on our findings and your time and budget constraints.
To book the Behaviour Evaluation, please:
1) Complete s Behaviour Information Form.
2) Submit your payment. We accept:
- PayPal
- Credit Card via tel 250-929-1400
- E-transfer to [email protected] ($120.75 inc GST)
Click here for "WHAT IS A BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATION".
REACTIVE DOG PROGRAMME
Structure
If we have not already done a Behaviour Evaluation, the first lesson will begin with us together going through your dog's Behaviour Information Form, making sure that we have as full a picture as possible of the situation.
From that, we together prioritize your dog's list of training goals and then go through a selection of educational materials, to give you and understanding of what is going on, what we will do about it, and why we do what we do. Finally, you will receive an initial, customized set of management and training protocols to implement, and a number of reading assignments.
We then continue with a number of lessons, either live online or in-person, the location and frequency which will depend on what is most suitable for your dog's training goals.
After each lesson, you will receive an email with the updated lesson notes and instructions.
BONUS FOR CLIENTS WITH REACTIVE DOGS: Monthly Roundtable DiscussionBecause living with a reactive dog can be a pretty lonely experience, and you don't meet many other owners of reactive dogs, Cowichan Canine offers a monthly (except December), Roundtable Discussion via Zoom.
We usually offer the Roundtable every THIRD Friday of the month, but sometimes dates may vary.
So, we get together and share experiences of what it's like to live with a reactive dog. We talk about our dogs' issues in a safe environment, with other owners of reactive dogs who know what it's like, and who don't judge us because we "cannot get the dog to behave" or "cannot control the dog".
The event is open to past and present students. Past students are especially welcome, as they are able to share of their experience of the training with our new students.1) Complete s Behaviour Information Form.
2) Submit your payment. We accept:
- PayPal- Credit Card via tel 250-929-1400
Click here for "WHAT IS A BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATION".
CALL US TODAY to discuss yours and your dogs needs:
(no strings attached!)
Tel: 250-929-1400 or use our Office Contact Form
or contact our Canine Behaviour Consultant directly via email:
[email protected]
Welcome to our Reactive Dog Programme – we journey together!

Lisbeth is one of a handful of individuals that we have worked with who intuitively understand how dogs work and think. Her classes, program organization, library and newsletter are outstanding.
Fern & Doug Bell
Chemainus, BC
I sincerely want to thank all the trainers who worked with us on
training our newest member of the family, Mila. Actually it was
training us but we won't admit to that!! We had the privilege of
working with Karen, Jody, Glenda, Bev and Lisbeth in our Foundation
Classes. Every trainer took an active role in helping us achieve
success. We felt that they were as excited with our small steps
towards success as we were! The training program was so well laid out
with the book, clickers, backpack and superb teachers that it made it
easy to be successful if you were willing to put in the time. It also
made it fun! There is a saying "it takes a village or community to
raise a child". We think the saying could say "it takes Cowichan
Canine to help raise a dog". We are now hoping to continue with
agility classes and maybe even try the scent class.
Thank you again
Mila, Marg, Andre, Sarah & Curtis
Cowichan Valley